Dr Reddy’s launch anti-cancer drug for aggressive head and neck cancer

The drug is the only immuno-oncology drug approved by various regulatory authorities around the world for the treatment of adults with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC), an aggressive form of head and neck cancer that originates in the upper part of the throat

Hyderabad: Hyderabad-based Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd on Thursday announced the launch of its anti-cancer drug Toripalimab in the Country.

The drug is the only immuno-oncology drug approved by various regulatory authorities around the world for the treatment of adults with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (RM-NPC), an aggressive form of head and neck cancer that originates in the upper part of the throat.

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Dr. Reddy’s will market it under the brand name Zytorvi in India.

At present, the standard of care for RM-NPC in India before Toripalimab was chemotherapy (gemcitabine and cisplatin). Toripalimab is indicated as first-line treatment of adults with metastatic or recurrent locally advanced NPC in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin.

This combination has shown a 48 percent reduction in risk of progression or death. Additionally, Toripalimab has also been approved as monotherapy for the treatment of adults with recurrent unresectable or metastatic NPC with disease progression, Dr Reddy’s in a press release said.

M.V. Ramana, CEO, Branded Markets (India and Emerging Markets), Dr. Reddy’s, said: “Toripalimab launch is a significant milestone for patients diagnosed with NPC in India. The prognosis of the disease for patients in advanced stages is poor, and India is among the top five countries in the world in terms of disease burden. Toripalimab has demonstrated superior outcomes for RM-NPC versus standard of care, thereby meeting a significant unmet need for patients with NPC in India.”

In 2023, Dr. Reddy’s entered into a license and commercialisation agreement with Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co. Ltd for Toripalimab. Under this agreement, Dr. Reddy’s obtained exclusive rights to develop and commercialise Toripalimab in 21 countries including India, South Africa, Brazil and various countries in Latin America.